Maps of the Past Inc. is a family owned and operated business that began operations in December of 2002. However, "Dad" has been collecting and studying historical maps since 1958. Interest in his vast collection has been so great over the years we decided to make high-quality reproductions of his collection and other historical maps available to the public. We pooled our expertise including David (Dad) a Master Genealogist/Author of 13 Historical Map Books/Avid Treasure Hunter/Historian, Jarrod (Oldest Son) a Computer Whiz, and a Customer Service Specialist, Michelle (Mom) a Sales & Marketing Professional and the wonderful Catherine (Grandma) a college administrator for 28 years, who got stuck being the financial backer and taking care of the shipping department, to form Maps of the Past. When we first started our new "Historical Map Reproduction" venture, we innocently thought the entire operation would be a fairly simple one. However, our true initiation came when we made the realization that there were no printing companies capable of creating high-quality reproduction prints of these fabulous historical treasures that would pass our scrutiny. We immediately added a Printing & Graphic Arts Specialist to round out our team of "experts". We then invested heavily in the finest graphic arts software, and wide-format printer available. We were officially in the Historical Map Reproduction business!

However, our true initiation came when we made the realization that there were no printing companies capable of creating high-quality reproduction prints of these fabulous historical treasures that would pass our scrutiny. We immediately added a Printing & Graphic Arts Specialist to round out our team of "experts". We then invested heavily in the finest graphic arts software, wide-format scanner, and wide-format printer available. We were officially in the Historical Map Reproduction business!

Today we proudly sell hundreds of beautiful maps each month to history enthusiasts across the country.

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Sure, we need to eat, pay the mortgage, put gas in our cars... but we are not really in this business for the money. We are in it for the love, the passion we have for these maps! Catherine looks at every map and says "WOW! isn't that a beautiful map" it could look like the bottom of an old shoe... and she would still say "WOW! isn't that a beautiful map!" She loves all of them. I (Michelle) look at every map with a magnifying glass to make sure the roads, streets, creeks and words are all crystal clear, then from a distance to make sure they are aesthetically pleasing and will look gorgeous when framed, hanging on a home or office wall. David makes sure all the historical data is accurate and Jarrod never has time to look up from the computer. We love the history, the geography... but most of all we love the fact that we are doing our small part to increase the world’s knowledge of history, cartography, maps, and genealogy. Our entire business is extremely labor intensive, including countless hours of research time to locate maps, a painstaking restoration process, hundreds of emails each week to make inquiries about maps, a meticulous printing production, and a packing operation that is handled with TLC. Of course we could probably be making a million dollars with the same amount of effort and manpower selling widgets made in China and having them drop-shipped from the distributor to the customer (and there is nothing wrong with that), but we wouldn't love to come to work every day with the same devotion to our company and our customers

IIn the beginning we started with a map library of nearly 300 maps, all of which were originals with a good portion of them Topo, City, Township, and County maps within the state of California. It didn't take very long for us to realize we were going to need a wider variety of maps! So we began our research to locate maps and locate maps we did! The restored map library now consists of roughly 1650 historical maps dating back to the sixteenth century. Our archives hold another 6000-7000 maps awaiting restoration. We are very proud to say that our maps come from very impressive sources such as, but not limited to the US Library of Congress, The David Rumsey Collection, US Geological Survey, as well as dozens of additional commercial and academic sources. A special thank you to Mr. David Rumsey for his generosity in allowing us to use several of his map images in our library.

Nearly all original maps are laden with imperfections such as tears, fold lines, stains, holes, pencil markings, and rubber stamp markings usually detracting from the overall appearance of the map. We have invested heavily in the finest equipment, computer software, and graphic artists available to correct each blemished area. Our combined efforts have resulted in intriguing historical reproductions that are literally breathtaking to view while keeping the historical data intact. We constantly search to refine our techniques, and our magnificent maps show the effort.

We use the most desirable photographic printer ever produced by Epson. The Epson Stylus Pro 9600, 44" Wide Format Printer. It was designed specifically to create giclee reproductions and has a revolutionary new print head that can produce an astonishing resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi, although we print all of our fine art and canvas map giclees at a true 1440 x 720 dpi. (...more on giclee prints or reproductions.) For all of the Photo quality maps we use our HP DesignJet 4000 printer which is also capable of printing at a resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi, although we choose to print our reproductions at 1440 x 720 dpi which creates a beautiful crystal clear image.

An improved version of Epson's Archival ColorFast ink has been developed for the latest generation of inkjet professional printers. Epson UltraChrome ink is one of the most important advances made in printing. UltraChrome ink is a pigment based ink instead of the typical dye based ink which achieves superb color on a variety of media because of the increase in the density of pigment content in the ink. This ensures superbly sharp image reproduction along with light and water resistance for up to 100 years . The UltraChrome ink is also used in a 7 color system instead of the old 4 color systems allowing for incredible, brilliant color.

We use three grades of media (paper) on which to print your maps, which we make available as these four product options:

• Photo Quality - This is a very high quality photo grade 7 mil thick paper. It is considered a "matte" finish, however is does have a slight sheen to it. It is a very nice paper and produces extremely attractive maps.
• Photo Quality Laminated - All maps up to 24" wide may be laminated. The lamination is a hot process using 5 mil laminating material to produce a heavy 10 mil thick very durable plastic covering for your map.
• Epson UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper - This beautiful acid free, lignin, and chlorine free, 100% cotton rag fine art archival media has the look and feel of old world handmade paper, yet it produces sharp and accurate reproductions. The Giclee process, combined with this paper creates magnificent historical maps guaranteed not to fade, yellow or crack for over 100 years. The quality of these maps is recognized by museums and galleries around the world.
• Epson Premier Art Canvas - Ideal for framing, the Epson 40% cotton & 60% Poly archival grade canvas will satisfy even the most discriminating taste. This Canvas has a medium gloss finish and after printing via the Giclee process, your historical maps are guaranteed not to fade, yellow or crack for over 100 years! The result is truly magnificent.

• Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, Maryland
• Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Connor Prairie Living Museum - Fishers, Indiana
• Arcadia Publishing - Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
• Virginia Historical Society - Richmond, Virginia
• Historic Arkansas Museum - Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indiana Historical Society - Indianapolis, Indiana
• Historic Hudson Valley - Sleepy Hollow, New York
• Henry Morrison Flagler Museum - Palm Beach, Florida
• Kentucky Historical Society - Frankfort, Kentucky
• Los Angeles Public Library - Los Angeles, California
• Northern Lights Art - Lebanon, New Hampshire
• Golden Gate National Park - San Francisco, California
• Compass Rose Trading Company - Kensington, Maryland
• Art Services International - Houston, Texas
• West Kentucky Education Coop. - Murray, Kentucky
• Autry National Center - Los Angeles, California
• Fort Pulaski National Monument - Savannah Beach, Georgia
• Christiansted National Historic Site - St. Croix, Virgin Island
• The Museum of the Confederacy - Richmond, Virginia
• Dave Millington Ancient Coins - London, England
• Parrish Fine Framing & Art - Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Michigan Historical Society - Lansing, Michigan
• California State Railroad Museum - Sacramento, California
• Nasir Framing Company - Alexandria, Virginia